Professional Membership Criteria


Professional Member applicants will evidence all of the below:

Criteria Minimum requirements of evidence
(i) Completion of a minimum qualification of a Graduate Certificate in Career Development or Vocational Graduate Certificate in Career Development Practice, and Certificate of Completion
(ii) Competency in the Core Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners, which are:
  • Career development theory
  • Labour market information
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ethical practice
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Technology, information, and resources
  • Professional practice application


This requirement is satisfied by the applicant completing the CDAA Membership Application, demonstrating how they apply the core competencies in their practice by providing examples. The statement must be from the applicants’ personal experience - joint or templated statements are not acceptable.

(iii) They are currently working in the career development profession.

This requirement is met if the applicant can satisfy the Membership Committee that they have the necessary skills, experience, and values required for the standing of a professional practitioner in the field of career development. This requirement will be met through the applicant providing evidence via their Core Competency statement, their CV, and their qualifications.

Applicants should be currently working in the career development profession, or in research directly relevant to career development, and have done so for at least one year full-time or equivalent duration in the three years immediately preceding the application.

Applicants not currently working in the career development profession must provide evidence that they have done so for at least two years full-time equivalent out of the last five years, and can provide evidence that they have undertaken CPD equivalent to an existing Professional member during their time of absence may be considered for Professional membership at the discretion of the Membership Committee.

 

Exceptional Case

 Professional Member applicants for consideration as an exceptional case will evidence all of the below:

Criteria Minimum requirements of evidence
(i) Completion of an Australian Qualification Framework graduate certificate qualification or higher in an academic discipline related to the field of career development. Academic disciplines that are deemed related to the field of career development include:
  • Coaching
  • Counselling
  • Education
  • Guidance
  • Human Resources
  • Psychology
  • Rehabilitation Counselling
  • Vocational Education and Training
  • Training and Development


Individuals whose qualification is a minimum of a degree in an academic discipline related to the field of career development, and who are currently working in the career development profession and have done so for at least five-years full time or equivalent duration in the eight years immediately preceding the application, may have their application considered by the CDAA Membership Committee as an exceptional case. Criteria (iii) AND (iv) also apply.

(ii) Competency in, or in the case of researchers, demonstrated understanding of, the Core Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners, which are:
  • Career development theory
  • Labour market information
  • Communication and interpersonal skills
  • Ethical practice
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Technology, information, and resources
  • Professional practice application


This requirement is satisfied by the applicant completing the CDAA Membership Application, demonstrating how they apply the core competencies in their practice by providing examples. The statement must be from the applicants’ personal experience - joint or templated statements are not acceptable.

(iii) They are currently working in the career development profession, or in research directly relevant to career development, and have done so for at least two years full-time or equivalent duration in the five years immediately preceding the application.

This requirement is met if the applicant can satisfy the Membership Committee that they have the necessary skills, experience, and values required for the standing of a professional practitioner in the field of career development. This requirement will be met through the applicant providing evidence via their Core Competency statement, their CV, and their qualifications.

For applicants not currently working in the career development profession, they must provide evidence that they have done so for at least two out of the last five years, and can provide evidence that they have undertaken continuing professional development (CPD) equivalent to an existing Professional member during their time of absence may be considered for Professional membership at the discretion of the Membership Committee.

 (iv) Support from two CDAA Professional, Fellow or Life members (or from two equivalent members in another CICA member organisation), of the membership application. In the rare event that the applicant does not have a network that enables support from appropriate professionals, arrangements will be made for the applicant to be interviewed by the relevant Divisional President (and/or Division Committee delegate).


Recognition
Professional Members are entitled to use the post-nominal PCDAA following their name. Professional Members are also entitled to use a CDAA logo specifically identifying the member to the Professional category membership with CDAA.

Membership Period
Annual renewal date 1 March

Membership Fee
Subscription $405 (Pro rata to end of February)

How to Apply
Applications for Professional Membership may be made by completing and submitting the online application.

Already a CDAA Member? Apply to upgrade to Professional Membership by contacting CDAA National Office on 0421 102 477 or [email protected].

Already a Professional Member of another Career Association? Apply to join CDAA as a Professional Member by contacting CDAA National Office on 0421 102 477 or [email protected].

Determination
The CDAA National Membership Committee considers and approves, declines or seeks further information with regard to Professional Membership applications.

Conditions of Membership Application:
Members of the CDAA agree to abide by the Professional Standards for Australian Career Development Practitioners including Code of Ethics.


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